Ghana on the right path in fight against illegal mining – Forestry Commission Deputy CEO

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Ghana's Forestry Commission, Elikem Kotoko, has stated that the country is making headway in the battle against illegal mining, despite acknowledging the problem is far from solved. Speaking on TV3 New Day's The Big Issue, Mr. Kotoko noted that "We are not where we once were. Nor are we at where we aspire to be, but we are definitely on the right path."

Mr. Kotoko affirmed that the Ghanaian government remains committed to tackling illegal mining, which he described as a priority. He praised the work of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), countering claims that it merely duplicates the efforts of previous taskforces. According to the Deputy CEO, NAIMOS offers a distinct approach and has been diligently combating illegal mining activities.

"The formation of NAIMOS is not a repetition of past efforts, as some may suggest. It is a new initiative that deserves recognition for its ongoing operations," he emphasized.

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer clarified that previous taskforces established to combat illegal mining have often fallen short of their intended impact. However, he commended NAIMOS for its consistent daily and weekly efforts in the fight against illegal mining. Despite the progress, Mr. Kotoko acknowledged that more work is needed to fully address the issue and its detrimental effects on Ghana's forests and environment.